Tips For Finding A Good Contractor
Being a homeowner brings on new responsibilities, such as having to know how to find a reliable contractor when there are projects to get done. Whether you’re a new homeowner or have owned your house a long time and simply looking to find a general contractor to get that special project done, these tips for finding a reliable contractor will help make this experience a positive one.
Create a Budget
Before you even think about hiring a contractor you’re going to need to know what your budget is. Sit down with your partner to discuss finances and create a budget for hiring a contractor. This budget may need to be adjusted as you receive estimates for work from reliable contractors, but it helps give you a starting point so that you don’t overspend.
Ask Friends and Family
You may find that friends or family have a reliable contractor that they use on a regular basis. Ask your friends and family to see if they have a recommendation for a reliable contractor. If they don’t know of one, perhaps they have a friend who’s been able to hire a contractor with success in the past. Word of mouth is the best place to start when searching for a reliable contractor.
Get Multiple Estimates
Be sure to get an estimate from more than one contractor. Not only are you looking to hire a reliable contractor but you want to stay within your allotted budget. Some contractors may be clearly overcharging and you’ll realize quickly that they’re not reliable if they quote you much higher than the other estimates you’ve received.
Check License and Insurance
Most General Contractors are required to be licensed to do business in your municipality or state, ask the contractor for their license. This way you can check to make sure they have a license to do business in your area. Also, ask if the contractor has their own insurance to cover any loss of their own or damage done during the project on your home. Always see proof of both license and insurance.In the State of Arizona we are required by the ROC to be licensed, bonded, and insured. We proudly disply our ROC numbers so customers can call and verify our information.
Ask for References
Even though you may be able to find a reliable contractor through word of mouth recommendations or find reviews online, it’s important to ask for references. The references you ask for should be prior clients from projects that the contractor has completed. Ask questions like where they messy? Did they clean up their mess? Where they punctual? Was the project finished in a timely manner? Calling each of these references to speak with them directly will ensure you get honest references on the contractor before hiring.
Develop a Contract
Many contractors will work with a deposit down and money paid throughout the duration of the project. Because of this it’s important that you develop a contract to protect all parties involved. This contract should cite when payments will be made and how much. It should also state how often you’ll check in for a status update on the project that your contract is working on. Having everything spelled out is vital.
These tips for finding a reliable contractor will ensure that you know what you’re getting into when you pick the right contractor for your next home improvement project. Hiring a contractor to work on your home is a big deal, and that’s why these tips are here. Hopefully they help make this big deal decision a positive one for your future home improvement project.
Here at Bassperformance Construction we encourage all of our clients to do their research. We have many satisfied customers that are always willing to provide references. We also hold multiple licenses, bonds, and insurance to insure our customer is protected. Everything is spelled out in our contracts. This helps ensure we are all on the same page through out the duration of your project. Our goal is to make your dream a reality. We pride ourselves on respecting you, your home, and your time. We will do the best to earn and keep your trust.
